Shows
On The RecordBaltimore-based Global Refuge: “a crushing blow to Afghan allies who were promised U.S. protection”In less than three weeks, more than ten thousand Afghans who fled their country when the U.S. pulled its military forces out three years ago will lose the protections that allow them to live and work in the U.S. When the government announced it was revoking Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, the Baltimore-based nonprofit Global Refuge called it “a crushing blow to Afghan allies who were promised U.S. protection.”
Global Refuge is the new name for ‘Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service,' the 85-year-old faith-based nonprofit dedicated exclusively to serving refugee children and families. We talk with presid...2025-06-2309 min
He's Holy & I'm KnottHe's Holy I'm Knott Welcomes the President & CEO of Global Refuge, Krish O'Mara Vignarajah.Rev. Al and I are thrilled to introduce Krish Vignarajah, the dynamic President and CEO of Global Refuge. Krish is a trailblazer whose life and work embody the power of resilience and vision. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Baltimore, her journey from refugee to global advocate is nothing short of inspiring. At the helm of Global Refuge, Krish leads with a deep commitment to empowering displaced communities worldwide. Her organization works tirelessly to provide resources, advocacy, and sustainable solutions for refugees, ensuring they have the tools to rebuild their lives with dignity. Before...2025-06-1656 min
Women's Media Center Live with Robin MorganWMC Live #475: Seeking Global Refuge. (Original Airdate 6/1/2025)Robin reports the realities of the lives endured by women and children refugees and migrants with her guest, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge—herself an immigrant.2025-06-0140 min
The Realignment547 | Krish O'Mara Vignarajah: The Post-Realignment Politics of Refugee Policy and Immigration ReformEndless Frontiers: Axios - The future of U.S. security is today taking shape in Texas TedX: Krish O'Mara Vignarajah - What is America's Superpower?Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, joins The Realignment. Marshall and Krish discuss Global Refuge's work with American refugee resettlement, the roots of the global backlash against immigration and refugee resettlement, the case for immigration, how pro-immigration groups should respond to the 2024 election, the Biden administration's policy mistakes when it came to the southern border, the role of scarcity in immigration scarcity, and why the post-war consensus a...2025-04-1847 min
MiddayPerspective on immigration, in Maryland and beyondPresident Donald Trump’s Executive Actions and some highly-publicized raids have targeted people without legal status who have been convicted or accused of criminal acts. There are multiple reports enforcement actions have swept up people who have no criminal record, and even some people who are American citizens.
Refugees who are in the United States legally, too, have been among those targeted in recent raids.
For perspective on the current climate for migrants in the country, we turn to Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the President and CEO of Global Refuge. The non-profit that assists refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants.
Two peop...2025-02-1348 min
Leaders Lead with Tony TaylorBeyond Borders: The Human Side of Immigration with Krish O’Mara VignarajahIn this powerful and timely episode, I sit down with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, to discuss the realities of immigration in America, the humanitarian crisis at our borders, and the critical work being done to support refugees and immigrants seeking safety. Krish shares her personal journey as an immigrant from Sri Lanka, her influential role as policy director for First Lady Michelle Obama, and the mission behind Global Refuge—one of the largest organizations dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant families. In this episode, we cover: The evolving landscape of U.S. immi...2025-02-1034 min
Leaders Lead with Tony TaylorBeyond Borders: The Human Side of Immigration with Krish O’Mara VignarajahIn this powerful and timely episode, I sit down with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, to discuss the realities of immigration in America, the humanitarian crisis at our borders, and the critical work being done to support refugees and immigrants seeking safety.
Krish shares her personal journey as an immigrant from Sri Lanka, her influential role as policy director for First Lady Michelle Obama, and the mission behind Global Refuge—one of the largest organizations dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant families.
In this episode, we cover:
Th...2025-02-1034 min
MiddayHow is Baltimore's immigrant community preparing for 2025 and beyond?Today, a conversation about how immigration policy will change when President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. He says his intention is to hire or nominate immigration officials who have long taken hardline positions. Tom speaks with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the President and CEO of Global Refuge, which provides asylum services and assists refugees with resettlement. He also talks with Mark Parker, who has just been elected to serve on the Baltimore City Council to represent District 1, which includes a large Hispanic population. Community organizer Susana Barrios also joins us. She is the Vice P...2024-11-1438 min
Let's Address This with Qasim Rashid PodcastThe Qasim Rashid Show - Episode 143Call to Action — 300 signatures needed:* PURPOSE: Demand Congress properly fund healthcare: SIGN HEREOn this week’s episode of The Qasim Rashid Show we discuss:* Krish O’Mara Vignarajah joins to debunk myths about immigrants and advocate for a justice based policy. This is especially important given Trump’s hateful anti-immigrant rally at Madison Square Garden.* America’s rape & abortion crisis is exponentially worsening & we must counter it.* Israeli Media reports that Netanyahu has blocked every hostage release deal.Be sure to hit that subscribe button to support Let...2024-10-2851 min
In the Ring with Héctor ColónS3 Ep 10: "The Truth about Immigration and Refugees" with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah2024-10-1636 min
MiddayCountering false claims on immigrants in the 2024 electionKrish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, joins Midday to address redirecting disinformation about the immigrant community during this year's presidential election.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.2024-09-2526 min
Designed By with Joanna Peña-BickleyWelcomes Designed By Krish O'Mara VignarajahIn this episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO of Global Refuge, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Krish shares her incredible journey to America, navigating the transition into a new community, and how her experiences shaped her into the leader she is today.Krish delves into her time working alongside the 44th First Lady and her journey running for office, sharing the lessons she learned along the way. She offers unique insights into the complexities of the asylum seeker system, the loud but often untrue narratives surrounding i...2024-08-121h 02
Fritanga by the Hispanic Heritage FoundationNavigating the Current Migrant Crisis: Insights from Krish Vignarajah, President & CEO, Global RefugeWelcome back to the Fritanga Podcast by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. In this week’s episode, we explore the urgent need for immigration reform to address the ongoing migrant crisis at the border. Joining us is Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge.On the pod, we explore:- The humanitarian crisis resulting from a broken immigration system and the failure of elected officials to enact necessary reforms.- The global scale of displacement, with over 114 million people affected and the projections of increased migration due to climate change and political in...2024-07-0245 min
The Inside Story PodcastWill Joe Biden's new immigration plan work?US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to curb the flow of asylum seekers at the southern border - a departure from his policies when he came to power. So, is the move motivated by the upcoming election? In this episode: Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of the non-profit organisation, Global Refuge. Amy Koch, Republican Strategist Leon Fresco, Immigration Attorney. Host: Cyril Vanier Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook2024-06-0625 min
Aspen Ideas to GoWicked Problem: The Road Ahead for Immigration PolicyAlmost everyone agrees that immigration policy in the United States is lacking, but despite decades of debate, Congress has not been able to pass comprehensive reform on the issue. For some, the primary issues are border security and economic concerns, and for others, labor needs and a commitment to humanitarianism take precedence. Why is it so hard to find common ground, and what are some visions for a different immigration future? NBC correspondent Tom Llamas moderates a panel of experts at the Aspen Ideas Festival who identify the key immigration pressure points and share thoughts on moving forward. Former...2023-08-1740 min
The Holden Village PodcastKrish O'Mara VignarajahKrish is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. She previously served in the Obama White House as Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama and at the State Department as Senior Advisor under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of State John Kerry.2023-07-3115 min
Ellevate Network: Conversations With Women Changing the Face of BusinessEpisode 358: Is the American Dream Dead? with Krish O’Mara VignarajahWe sit down with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, to discuss what led her to serve the immigrant community, her five years in the Obama administration, and working with companies to help them invite immigrant talent.2023-04-2658 min
This Week in ImmigrationEpisode 130: This Week in ImmigrationIn this week’s episode, we’re focusing on DACA, as the program and its recipients wait for a decision on the program’s legality from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. We’ll welcome Niña Ledonio, BPC’s Corporate Relations Manager and a DACA recipient, to talk about the program’s impact on her life. This Week in Immigration regular, Theresa Cardinal Brown, will then join to talk through the policy side of DACA, walking us through the Biden administration’s recent final rule and the maze of litigation that DACA faces. Finally, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the President of...2022-10-0350 min
Intersections: Where Human Rights and Democracy MeetA Well-Founded Fear: Protecting the Rights of Refugees in Times of CrisisWhat rights do refugees have, and how can states protect them? The first episode of Intersections discusses Ukraine, Afghanistan, the two-year anniversary of Title 42 and the global health crisis, and other current issues in refugee rights with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and Jon Hoisaeter, Deputy Representative for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Washington, DC. Additional Resources:
LIRS: https://www.lirs.org/
UNHCR: https://www.unhcr.org/ceu/
Rights of Refugees: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/publications/brochures/3b779dfe2/protecting-refugees-questions-answers.html
On Title 42: https://a...2022-03-2237 min
This Week in ImmigrationEpisode 115: This Week in Immigration In this week’s episode, Theresa Cardinal Brown will be joined by Cris Ramon, Global and U.S. Immigration Policy Researcher and Analyst, to discuss how Europe is responding to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees. Also joining is Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, to talk about what policy avenues the United States has available to assist Ukrainians in the United States and those displaced because of this military action. Links: How to Help Refugees — Aid, Relief and Donations | USA for UNHCR Lutheran Immigration and Refugee...2022-03-0431 min
Immigration NerdsKrish O'Mara Vignarajah | Assisting Refugees During A CrisisLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a non-profit organization that welcomes and supports refugees and migrants entering the United States. It is one of nine refugee resettlement agencies working with the Office of Refugee Resettlement[2] and one of only two that serves unaccompanied refugee minors.With more than 1 million refugees fleeing Ukrainian borders today, President and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah shares her organization's resettlement initiatives, assistance programs, and how everyday citizens can help during these trying times.2022-03-0408 min
The Tamil CreatorEP #37: Krish O'Mara Vignarajah - Former Policy Director To Michelle Obama + President/CEO Of LIRSKrish O’Mara Vignarajah is a Marshall Scholar, former policy director to Michelle Obama and an immigration advocate serving as President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (@lirsorg). If her last name sounds familiar, it's because her brother Thiru Vignarajah was interviewed in EP 16! (make sure to check out that episode)She joins Ara on the latest episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss growing up in #Baltimore, the lessons learned in losing an election, working with Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) and the lifelong learning benefit of such an opportunity, having a bout with breast cancer, and much mo...2021-11-1450 min
Power Station#182 Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee ServicesSometimes an image is so powerful it breaks through political rhetoric, media noise and sears into the soul. A recent video of Afghani children being foisted over the Kabul airport wall and into the arms of American soldiers resonates in this way. What we don’t see is the organized process underway by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) to help Afghans who supported the U.S. Military as translators, drivers and guards, flee Afghanistan and resettle in America. LIRS has been at the forefront of this work for 80 years and is now mobilizing a network of churches, nonprofits an...2021-08-3026 min
LIRS.orgHere and Now: Operation Allies RefugeLIRS President and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah speaks with NPR's Here and Now about the efforts to safely relocate Afghan Allies who served alongside the U.S. ahead of withdrawal from Afghanistan.2021-07-2000 minLIRS.orgNPR Refugee Resettlement 3.25.2021Audio clip of LIRS president and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah on NPR.2021-03-2500 min
ImmigrationBiden’s Higher Refugee Cap Will Boost Resettlement in US — EventuallyPresident Joe Biden’s first month in office has seen a flurry of executive orders reshaping U.S. immigration policy, including a rebooting and expansion of America’s refugee program.But experts and resettlement groups tell VOA it will take time and resources to reverse the Trump administration’s cutbacks in refugee resettlement that pared admissions to their lowest levels in decades.
Starting in October, the United States is set to welcome up to 125,000 refugees a year, up from a 15,000 limit at the end of the Trump administration. The announcement could change the lives of people like Abdirizak Noor Ibrahim.
Origin...2021-02-1703 min
The Power of the Only23 Krish O’Mara Vignarajah - From Refugee To Gubernatorial Candidate To CEO The Power Of Authenticity, Taking Risks and Redefining Leadership"I wasn't running despite being a woman, but in part because of being a woman." - Krish O'Mara Vignarajah Our guest this week Krish O’ Mara Vignarajah embodies "The Power Of The Only" not just because of her impressive resume, but by the way she shows up. She is creating a new model of what leadership looks like through her service and her actions and shows us how we can step into our "Only." Krish is the President and CEO of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), one of only two organizations that are hel...2020-08-1145 minLIRS.orgPush The Button: Immigration & National SecurityLIRS president & CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah joins the Push The Button podcast to talk about the intersection of immigration and national security in this clip.2020-04-2802 min
Worth Your TimeOut of Africa: Rachel Pieh Jones' Fascinating Life in DjboutiRachel Pieh Jones has a very cool life -- and it's almost hard to believe. The mom of three moved to Somalia years ago with her husband and three-year-old twins, for her husband's job at a university. Soon after, the family moved to Djbouti and Rachel gave birth to her third child in a pretty dangerous scenario where no healthcare would be available if anything went wrong.She ended up writing about that birthing experience for the New York Times and has since made a long, happy life in the Third World. From the Horn of Africa...2020-03-1749 min
Worth Your TimeGracy Olmstead is the Journalist We NeedGracy Olmstead is a beautiful writer, her pieces published regularly in the New York Times and many others. As someone who ingests thousands of words per week, I make a point never to miss hers. She's writes about culture, faith, politics, policy, farming, food and more -- and does so with a voice all her own. Her pieces are often focused on compromise, human dignity and life and she has a knack for luring in both sides of an issue and helping them hear one another. So important!Gracy is the mom of two little girls and...2020-03-031h 05
Worth Your TimeManda Carpenter: A 28-Year-Old Foster Mom on a MissionManda Carpenter is 28 years old and has already been a foster mom for several years. It's a passion God put on her heart years go, in childhood, and she was just waiting for the opportunity to go for it. She met an incredible man, married him and the two set out on their foster journey.They even signed up to take on kids with significant psychological issues, those cases that not everyone might be willing to take on, She's an incredible advocate and a humble servant of Jesus. In the midst of motherhood, Manda is also thriving...2020-02-1859 min
Worth Your TimeKrish O'Mara Vignarajah: President & CEO, Lutheran Immigration & Refugee ServiceKrish O'Mara Vignarajah is one impressive -- and gracious -- lady. She's the President & CEO of Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service (LIRS) and has been working hard during our country's recent immigration struggles.Prior to this position, Krish ran for Governor of Maryland and was Policy Director for First Lady Michelle Obama -- very cool! I get her to answer a few questions about working with Michelle in this interview :)I first encountered Krish while researching a piece I wrote on families in the immigration crisis for the Washington Post. I so enjoyed chatting with her...2020-02-0456 min